Investigation of British oil exec's death a mystery

Brussels - Theories posit that it could be a robbery gone wrong, but some family members and friends of the family are theorizing that the death of Nicolas Mockford may have the sinister trappings of a professional hit

When the killing took place on October 14th, Nicolas Mockford had just finished dinner around10:00 pm with his wife and was leaving the Italian bistro on the outskirts of the Belgian capitol. Witnesses report that the couple were strolling towards the parking lot when Mockford's wife Mary was suddenly violently attacked as one of the attackers struggled to steal her purse. She was beaten and received numerous blows to the face, while this was happening another thug opened fire on her husband who received the three shots that ultimately killed him. Mockford expired from the gunshot wounds in transit while en route to the nearest hospital. The Belgian police are continuing the investigation into the killing which has only recently been receiving attention as it has been under a "news blackout" since mid October. At the time of his killing Mockford was Head of Marketing for Interim Technologies for Exxon- Mobil Chemicals Europe whose main vocation was the promotion of greener types of fuel. He had worked with Exxon-Mobil since the 70's. "He ( Mockford) was shot so calmly and so quickly, it smacks horribly of a professional hit, but we can't fathom why. a family member who wishes to remain anonymous told Britain's The Independent newspaper. " He isn't the type to cave in to blackmail and it just doesn't compute." So far no one has been arrested for the murder.